A church at the center of a massive human trafficking and money laundering case wants millions of dollars in cash, gold and silver and luxury automobiles returned to it, arguing in a new lawsuit that although two Michigan-based church leaders have been charged with crimes, the church itself has clean hands.
The federal government's August seizure of $4.2 million from five bank accounts, plus other assets seized from in and around church-owned properties, such as silver bars, gold coins, $1.8 million Iraqi dinars, a 2024 Rolls Royce and other luxury cars, "is causing substantial hardship to a legitimate business operation," and interfering with religious freedom, the Kingdom of God Global Church argues in a lawsuit filed Dec. 30 in federal court in Detroit.
Church Pastor David Taylor, 53, is charged in federal court in Detroit with human trafficking conspiracy, forced labor and money laundering and is being held without bond, court records show. Church Executive Director Michelle Brannon, 56, faces similar charges and was released Sept. 30 on a $10,000 unsecured bond, records show.
According to the indictment, Taylor led a life of luxury while soliciting individuals from across the country to work in his call centers, requiring each to meet goals related to pledged donations and/or phone calls made to prospective donors. The callers would pretend to be collecting for causes such as clean drinking water in poor countries. Taylor demanded the victims cut off ties with any family or friends who questioned Taylor or the church, the indictment alleges. No dating or outside employment was allowed, and victims were required to sleep at the call center and work without pay, the government alleges.
